Critical Mass London

Who are we and what are our aims?

We are not sure, opinions seem to differ. There are probably as many aims of CM as there are participants. Each individual comes there with his or her own idea of what it's about, and the sum of this makes up the Mass. We have no organisers and no planned routes.

Critical Mass achieved its international name following the first ever ride in San Francisco back in 1992, where it was christened 'Commute Clot'. It was "noted that, in China both motorists and bicyclists had an understood method of negotiating intersections without signals. Traffic would "bunch up" at these intersections until the back log reached a "critical mass" at which point that mass would move through the intersection".

The London monthly rides started in April 1994. 1995-96 reports. Videos from the 90s. It isn't just for cyclists, sometimes there are wheelchairers, skateboarders, roller bladers, roller skaters and other self-propelled people. Cycle sound systems often play music on the ride. To find out more about Critical Mass checkout the links on the left.

News

September ride 2008.

No cycle police presence at all this time! Some confrontations with drivers and pedestrians. A taxi deliberately damaged a bike. Perfect weather and about 500 riders or maybe more. With no police nothing was done to stop the cycle sound systems playing in the SOCPA zone around Parliament. Reports | 1 | 2 | 3 | video |.

During the ride some special police came out of nowhere, attacked riders and told motorists to drive straight into the Mass to make them get out of their way, and then they left shortly afterwards. Report.

August ride 2008.

Before the start of the ride there was unusual mingling of police with riders. During the ride several riders were stopped by police and some were ticketed or threatened with arrest. The ride itself felt very empowering and motorists hooted in vain. There was plenty of vocal support from pub crowds too. Reports. Video of a ticketing.

Videos

Select video and press back and start buttons to play. (If you can't see any buttons you might need free here Shockwave Player). More.